Shelf clip



Dec. 5, 1933- L. H. DARBYSHIRE SHELF CLIP Filed June 16, 1932 4 /z [9071471 2? Zaryafiare.

V69 shelf near one corner Patented Dec. 5, 19 33 SHELF CLIP Leonard H. Darbyshire, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Norgc Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application June 16, 1932. SerialNo. 617,527

2 Claims.

This invention relates to shelf clips for retaining shelves and the like in position on their supports and has particular reference to shelf clips for the shelves of various types of cabinets such a I as refrigerators.

It is an object of this invention to provide a shelf clip for retaining a shelf in its final position on its support in order to prevent displacement of the shelf and consequent damage to the interior of the cabinet or refrigerator due to shocks in shipment or careless handling at any time.

Heretofore it has been necessary to pack the shelves separately since if shipped loosely in place they would be likely to damage the interior of II; the cabinet, and the freezer unit in the case of a mechanical refrigerator. The shelf clips also serve to keep the shelves from rattling, and from being raised by an accidental jar through some mishap on the part of the user.

It is another object of this invention to provide a spring shelf clip of the class described that can be readily engaged and removed from around a shelf and its support and that can be applied in any corner of the shelf without the need of .21 having right and left handedclips.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a simple and inexpensive form of shelf clip for the purpose described.

Other and further objects of this invention I 8Q will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawing.

, This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

1 85 On the drawing: v Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a cabinet lining and shelf supported thereon, the clip of this invention being attached around the shelf and one of its supports.

:49 Figure 2 is a section on the line II-I[ of Fig. 1 showing an end view of the clip.

Figure 3 is a section on the line III-III of Fig. 2 showing the clip in side elevation.

As shown:

A portion of a refrigerator or cabinet lining is indicated in Figure 1 by the reference numeral 10 and a shelf supporting stud or spool 11 is shown as applied directly to the lining in a position to engage beneath the wire frame 12 of a thereof, the shelf comprising the frame 12 supporting a plurality of strips 13. The particular type of shelf shown is in common use in refrigerators where an air circulation is necessary. The shelf may be intended to slide over the supporting spools if desired.

The spring clip of this invention is intended to snap over the wire frame 12 of the shelf and. to engage beneath the shelf support to hold the shelf down. To this end a length of spring wire 14 is bent up and curved over at the ends to form V hooks 15 engaging over the shelf frame 12, and the intermediate portion of the spring wire is formed as a depending half circle as at 16 to conform to the lower part of the shelf supporting spool. Since the shelf support is usually located 6! near a corner of the shelf frame it is desirable to elongate the clip and provide two of the spool engaging depending portions 16, one near each end hook 15. This has the further advantage that the clip is more easily attached and removed by the aid of the increased leverage provided by the unused spool engaging portion thereof and that there is then no need of right and left handed clips.

In the use of the shelf clip of this invention 76 the shelves are installed in their final positions in the cabinet or refrigerator and then the left hand hook 15 of the clip is engaged over the shelf frame 12 and the clip brought up under the shelf support which seats in one of the de- 89 pending portions of the clip, the other end of the clip being then sprung upwardly until the hook thereon engages over the shelf frame. To release and remove the clip the reverse procedure is used. While the clip is in position it serves 8 to both hold the shelf in place and to resist a sliding movement thereof, thus protecting the walls and closure from damage that would result from a loose shelf during shipping or rough handling.

It will thus be seen that I have invented an inexpensive and highly satisfactory shelf clip that will permit factory assembly of shelving in cabinets or the like without liability of damage to the cabinet linings during shipment and installation, or use by the purchaser if it is desired to retain the clips thereafter.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent gratend hereon otherwise than necesitated by the prior art. I

I claim as my invention:

1. In a securing device for a shelf having a boundary frame resting on a plurality of supporting studs, a spring clip for each stud, said clip comprising a wire element having spaced no parallel gripping portions at its ends fitting over 2. In a securing device for a shelf having aboundary frame resting on a plurality of supporting studs, a spring clip for each stud, said clip comprising a Wire element having spaced parallel gripping portions at its ends fitting over and embracing the shelf frame on opposite sides of the studs, and an intermediate gripping portion provided with semi-circular offsets, said intermediate gripping portion disposed in a plane at right angles to planes of the end portions and fitting under and embracing the stud.

LEONARD H. DARBYSHIRE. 

